Activities in Action

Now that the weather finally feels like spring I am hoping to get the residents outside more often whether this be for an activity, going on a golf cart ride, or to relax and get some good vitamin D. We will be planting vegetables in our two raised garden beds again this year. These are located at the end of 400 hall. The residents have suggested radishes, peppers, different kinds of tomatoes and onions. David Cavey has been a big help in watering the vegetables when needed and is looking forward to helping again this year.

May 13-19, we will be celebrating National Skilled Nursing Care Week. During this week we will be “Celebrating Life’s Stories” through fun activities for residents, staff, families, and community members. We start off the week with a photo shoot of things that make us happy. In the afternoon we will be painting rocks to hide around the community for hidden rocks of Monticello. On Tuesday, staff will be helping residents making “all about me” colleges using magazine clippings. These collages will be displayed throughout the facility for all to enjoy. Later that day staff and residents will be planting flowers outside. Flower donations are welcome and appreciated! Wednesday, we start off the morning with a show and tell activity. Staff and residents are asked to bring in something that is special to them and explain the significance of this item. Resident’s families are welcome to join on this day to share an item that is special to their loved one! This is a great way for both staff and residents to get to know each other a little better. Starting at 2:15pm we will have a party to celebrate our wonderful staff and residents. Thursday afternoon we will be taking a bus trip to our very own resident, Willene Moenk’s family dairy farm. To wrap up the week-long celebration we will be playing everyone’s favorite game, BINGO!

Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who purchased items from our craft sale in April. All items were designed and created by Becky Voss. Becky was kind enough to give all proceeds from the sale to the activity fund. We raised $315.00. This money will go towards bus trips and events we have planned this summer such as an outing to the Kernels Baseball Game in Cedar Rapids! Becky plans to come again in September for a fall craft sale.